Educating Radiology Stakeholders on Relevant Health Issues and Terminology Regarding LGBTQIA+ Patients in 2023

Over 20% of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Ally, and more (LGBTQIA+) community reports experiencing discrimination upon accessing health care, causing many to defer access to care and resulting in poorer outcomes. While members of this community routinely undergo imaging studies, little formal education exists within the field of radiology to review the unique health care needs of this population and the specific relevance to imaging, in addition to actionable methods to promote inclusion.

A 1-hour educational conference was held for a cohort of radiology resident physicians at our institution, in which topics including LGBTQIA+ health care disparities, clinical nuances relevant to the field of radiology, and actionable suggestions that both academic and private-practice centers can adopt to foster inclusion were presented. All attendees were required to complete a 12-question, multiple-choice preconference and postconference examination.

Median prelecture and postlecture quiz scores for four first-year radiology residents were 29% and 75%, for two second-year radiology residents were 29% and 63%, for two third-year radiology residents were 17% and 71%, and for three fourth-year radiology residents were 42% and 80%.

Multiple areas of opportunity to foster LGBTQIA+ inclusion at the provider and administration levels currently exist throughout the field of radiology. A radiology-focused education module regarding clinical nuances, health care inequities, and ways to foster an inclusive environment with the LGBTQIA+ community is an effective way to promote learner knowledge.